1902.
June 10
(No 2)
a few yards of the edge of this clearing and had looked
in vain for the nest above its edges but not in the
viburnum where it must have been at the time for the 
eggs were evidently on the point of hatching to-day. They
were four in number and indistinguishable from small
eggs of the Red-eye having none of the usual bold, handsome
light brown or reddish markings of the Solitary's but only
a few minute black or blackish spots about the larger ends.
The nest, alas, lacked the usual profuse and artistic
exterior decorations of spider's cocoons, birch bark etc; and
looked for all the world like a dilapidated Red-eye's of originally
inferior construction. But a female Solitary was certainly
occupying it and she proved to be one of the tamest &
most trustful birds that I have met with in a long
experience. The nest was suspended about 8 feet above the
ground and where we then had gathered directly beneath
it the bird began peering at us over its edges rolling his head
from side to side after the manner of most Vireos. Nor
did she move when I reached up my arm and brushed
the end of her tail. I next drew down the branch until
the nest was level with my face and stroked the sitting
birds back. Next I stroked her head, at first gently, then
heavily, bearing down with almost the whole weight of my
hand. Finally I scratched her head and neck with my
finger nail. This she seemed to positively enjoy although
when I became trifle rough she would evade my finger
for a moment or two by dodging her head from side to side.
Hoping to repeat some of the experiences of Mr. Torrey &
Mr. Hoffmann with sitting Vireos I next procured some ants'
eggs and offered them to this bird. She extended her bill and
apparently tasted one of them but refused to eat it. When,
13